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The clinical trial results demonstrate that the use of the Oncotech EDRAssay predictive test can predict resistance to platinum-based chemotherapybefore therapy is initiated. These results are important to ovarian cancertreating physicians since ovarian cancer is known to show resistance toplatinum-based agents. Currently, the standard first-line treatment regimenfor late stage ovarian cancer contains platinum-based chemotherapy.
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Dr. Ignace Vergote, President of the IGCS and Coordinator of the trial,commented, "The results of this study provide additional evidence thatresistance to a platinum-based therapy, as predicted by the Oncotech EDRAssay, is a significant negative predictor of response to first lineplatinum-based chemotherapy. This information is important since it allowsthe treating physician to consider alternative regimens earlier in thetreatment plan which might benefit the patient."
Dr. Cynthia French, Exiqon Diagnostics Chief Scientific Officer, stated,"The Oncotech EDR Assay has once again been proven through clinical studiesto be a valuable tool in individualizing medicine for cancer patients. We arevery pleased to share the positive results of this trial conducted by theprestigious EORTC and are looking forward to continue to collaborate with keyresearch organizations to support the clinical use of the Oncotech EDR Assay."
Lars Kongsbak, CEO says: "This study is an important part of our effortto create an expanding portfolio of clinical studies supporting ourdiagnostic tests. Clinical evidence of this kind accomplishes threeobjectives: to demonstrate to the pharmaceutical research and clinicaloncology communities that the Oncotech EDR Assay platform is a validatedtesting instrument leading to increased adoption by the oncology community;to strengthen clinical support of the Oncotech EDR Assay technology requiredby healthcare insurers for optimal reimbursement; and to validate theOncotech EDR Assay results further substantiating the technology as a keyplatform that can be leveraged as a reference in the identification ofmolecular signatures of chemoresistance. The latter is offered to ourcustomers through Exiqon Pharma Services."
About Exiqon
Exiqon is a biotech company with activities in three business areas wherethe company's technologies provide a competitive advantage: sale ofdiagnostic tests (Exiqon Diagnostics), sale of innovative research productsfor miRNA research (Exiqon Life Sciences), and in contract research togetherwith pharmaceutical companies (Exiqon Pharma Services). Exiqon is dedicatedto personalizing the treatment selection for cancer patients. The aim is tooptimize the use of existing medicine and avoid unnecessary and non-effectivetreatment. By using molecular diagnostic tests that analyse the geneticprofile of each patient's tumor, treatment selection can be optimized forindividuals. Exiqon is uniquely positioned to develop such new diagnostictests. Exiqon already markets diagnostic tests that based on fresh tumortissue enable doctors to test whether their patients are resistant to one ormore of the chemotherapies offered to treat these patients and help themselect an efficacious treatment. Exiqons new molecular diagnostic productswill be based on the LNA(TM) technology that will enable testing on fixedtissue. The first molecular diagnostic product is scheduled for launch by theend of 2008. A number of new products will follow in the years ahead. Usingthe LNA(TM) technology is what has allowed Exiqon to establish a position foritself as one of the market's leading providers of research products for geneexpression analysis. These research products are used by universityscientists and in the pharmaceutical industry around the world to makegroundbreaking discoveries about the correlation between gene activity andthe development various diseases. Exiqon is also collaborating withpharmaceutical companies in their effort to develop new medicines based onbiomarkers (Personalized Medicine). Exiqon has more than 200 employees and islisted on the NASDAQ OMX in Copenhagen and categorized as a biotech company(Small Cap+). Exiqon is financed until expected breakeven in 2011.
Disclaimer
Forward-looking statements: This announcement contains forward-lookingstatements regarding Exiqon's potential future development and financialperformance and other statements, which are not historical facts. Suchstatements are made on the basis of assumptions and expectations which, tothe best of Exiqon's knowledge, are reasonable and well-founded at this time,but which may prove to be erroneous. Exiqon's operations are characterized bythe fact that its actual results may deviate significantly from thatdescribed herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
SOURCE Exiqon A/S
